"It is true that both debt and the control of currency is one of the most effective means of enslaving an entire population without their knowledge. Continually chasing financial freedom with no ability to pay off debt and save for the future ensures that a sizeable majority of the population will not have the means, time, or energy to resist the totalitarian methods imposed upon them."

Bottom line is that many different things seem to come together and connect in Syria, Matt - and if you have 77m spare now or later, then I'm very strongly recommending this excellent and thought provoking doc. but with some rather surreal, idiosyncratic & humorous editing despite the serous subject matter :

" "The People Demand the Downfall of the Regime," not just Assad. There is consensus across the board, from US to Russia to Iran, that no matter what happens in Syria, regime institutions should remain intact. The same institutions that were built by the dictatorship. The same institutions that plundered Syria and provoked the popular discontent that started this uprising. The same institutions that are merely the remnants of French colonialism. Everyone in Syria knows that the US's preferred candidates for leadership roles in any future Syria are those Syrians who were part of the regime and then defected: Ba'athist bureaucrats turned neoliberal technocrats turned "defectors." These are the people the US would have rule Syria."

There ya go, chew on that puppy dog.

And then pack up your shit and hit the road to Syria. Or just send others to do your dirty work.

Oh, the pro war folks keep saying that we are 'vetting' the rebels that receive aid. Course, the others say 7 outta 9 main insurgent groups are extremists tied to AQ,

One thing we must put boots on ground and do better job of, is securing the weapons when assad falls. We f'd that up big time in Libya, course we also lost some shoulder fired anti aircraft missiles there, too that are now no doubt finding their way to the black market. Could be an issue in Egypt too, when all is said and done there.

I admit I'm torn. The people for intervention seem to have supported the indefinite detention clause. While it would be classic poetic justice it is still unconstitutional. Just wanted to share with others who would see the irony while showing how broad the part about "substantially support Al Queda or associated forces" can be.

"“We have continued to grow and mature
as a department by strengthening our
existing capabilities, building new ones
where necessary, enhancing our
partnerships across all levels of
Government and with the private sector,
and streamlining our operations and
increasing efficiency.”

Secretary Janet Napolitano

Testimony before the United States House of
Representatives Committee on the Judiciary
October 26, 2011